Album Review: Ear Op | Los Doggies

The New Paltz institution that is Los Doggies comes straightforward with this four-song release. Well, as straightforward as Los Doggies can get. Laden with counter-rhythms and cascading melodies, the album harkens to some prog-rock foundations: Zappa-esque lead guitar tones, with a dash of King Crimson fuzziness. However, the band leaves out all the pomp and pretension often associated with that genre, favoring a more idiosyncratic indie-rock approach (a la Built to Spill or Pavement). Whereas in the past Los Doggies has utilized basic studio trickery of multi-tracking and layering instrumental and vocal performances, Ear Op is primarily a capturing of an organic live performance. Producer Kevin McMahon, who has proven himself time and again in his knack of capturing and shaping the sound and spirit of many a great rock outfit, was tapped to helm the faders at Marcata Recording for the album, and it is all the better for it. Losdoggies.com.